Question was- Contrast MRI may differentiate RA from psoriatic arthritis

[Guest guest]

,

I have a question regarding this post. Are there different treatments for PsA

VS RA? I was told by Rheumy in the past that the treatments were the same, and

it didn't make a difference. If there are different treatment protocols, I

would love to know what they are. Right now I am failing Remicade and in a

nasty flare that isn't seeming to get better. So any info or direction to look

to for help would be great. Thanks in advance.

>

> Contrast-Enhanced MRI Could Play A Key Role In Differentiating Between

> Common Types Of Arthritis

>

> MedicalNewsToday.com

> Article Date: 19 Feb 2010 - 3:00 PST

>

>

> Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help physicians

> differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis in

> the hand and wrist enabling more targeted therapies unique to each

> condition, according to a study in the March issue of the American

> Journal of Roentgenology . Contrast-enhanced MRI uses contrast media

> to improve the visibility of internal bodily structures.

>

> *****************************************

> Read the full article here:

>

> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179703.php

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

A lot of the treatments are the same. Of course, in psoriatic

arthritis (PsA) and as opposed to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the skin

manifestations are an important target of treatment. In PsA, treatment

choices are also influenced by which of the five major patterns of

disease the patient has.

Long-term use of corticosteroids like prednisone and antimalarials

like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are often avoided in PsA because

they can provoke a flare of the skin disease (hydroxychloroquine) or

cause a rebound flare of the skin disease after withdrawal

(prednisone).

PUVA (psoralen plus exposure to ultraviolet A light) is used to treat

both the skin and the peripheral arthritis of psoriatic arthritis, but

it is not used for RA.

Soriatane (acitretin) is used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,

but not for RA.

For both diseases, methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used, but

historically there have been questions about the safety and efficacy

of MTX in PsA. Generally speaking, MTX is thought to be more effective

in RA and associated with a lower rate of liver toxicity than in PsA.

The jury is still out on this issue though.

Cyclosporine and azathioprine seem to be used more often for psoriatic

arthritis than for RA.

I'm sure there are more differences, but these come to mind first.

So sorry about your flare. I hope you and your rheumatologist can

figure out a good Plan B very soon.

http://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunity/learn02

http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/p\

soriaticarthritis.asp

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331037-overview

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-info/psoriatic-arthritis/

http://arthritis.about.com/od/pa/f/psoriaticsym.htm

Not an MD

On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 4:09 PM, cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...> wrote:

> ,

>

> I have a question regarding this post.  Are there different treatments for PsA

VS RA?  I was told by Rheumy in the past that the treatments were the same, and

it didn't make a difference.  If there are different treatment protocols, I

would love to know what they are.  Right now I am failing Remicade and in a

nasty flare that isn't seeming to get better.  So any info or direction to look

to for help would be great.  Thanks in advance.

>

>